The Wilmington Fire Department is mourning the loss of another colleague in the wake of September's arson in that city's Canby Park section.

Ardythe Hope, a 23-year veteran of the department, died Thursday, 68 days after being critically injured.

"I was with the family in the hospital last night during Ardythe's final moments," a tearful Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode told reporter Friday morning. "I love that family. And I appreciate and respect the ability to be there."

"She just had a heart of gold, she loved life. You could tell she loved what she did. When she would talk about her job, she would be smiling, and it was stressful and what she did was very hard, and I consider her a hero," said Joan Winnington.

A hero the people served, but just mom and Ardy to her friends and family.

"We feel like she's in a better place, everything is good. Now it's just making sure that the family is OK," said Edmond.

Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 28, of 1927 Lakeview Road, where the fire occurred, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree assault, seven counts of reckless endangerment and one count of first-degree arson.